Rubiana Ali: ‘Slumdog’ Star is the Champ of India

And we’re not the only ones. Ali’s return home to India following the miraculous Academy Awards triumph brought scenes of major jubilation. India’s national newspaper reported “a reception befitting megastars and demigods” as crowds swarmed the airport to pay tribute to all the Slumdog child stars.

Most amazing of all, both Rubiana, 8, and co-star Mohammed Azharuddin Ismail, 10, reside in in one of India’s most notorious slums—truly making this a Slum-to-SlumdogMillionaire transformation.